"We are investigating who organised the drill and we have arrested the trainer," a local police officer in southern Coimbatore city, where the accident occurred, told AFP.

"She sustained fatal injuries on her neck and head. The trainer has been charged with causing death due to negligence," said the officer, who requested anonymity as he was not permitted to talk to the media.

The National Disaster Management Authority, which stages mock disaster drills across India, said it did not organise or sanction Thursday's event.

"The trainer wasn't authorised by NDMA to conduct such a drill," the authority posted on Twitter.

Local media reports said the instructor was not certified to perform such a drill and college authorities had not sought official permission to stage the exercise.